Teach us how to pray

Jesus got up before the sunrise in order to pray. He knew that his strength came from His Father, so his prayer time could not be jeopardised. It is certain that Jesus’s ability to minister powerfully came from as a result of quality prayer time; these two are intimately intertwined. Jesus prayed to His Father, as Christians and heirs to the promise He is our Father too. Jesus knew the character, the heart of His Father in heaven and His place and identity in the Godhead.

As born again believers we have a Father in heaven and the Holy Spirit within us revealing the character and heart of God. We have a place on earth, one to look forward to in the next life and identity in Christ:

Luke 11:2
And he said to them, “When you pray, say: “(Father), hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come.”

John 11:41-42
“Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, “(Father), I thank You that You have heard Me. And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.”

John 12:27-28
“Now is my soul troubled? And what shall I say? ‘(Father), save me from this hour? But for this purpose, I have come to this hour. (Father), glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.”

Jesus says (Father) six times in the chapter of John 17 calling God (Father), (Holy Father) and (Righteous Father). Our identity as sons and daughters and as members of Christ’s Body, we approach God the Father through, with, and in Jesus. In union with him, we pray “Our (Father), who art in heaven. Jesus did pray alone and many times in secret. He often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed:

Mark 1:35
“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a (solitary place), where he prayed.”

With the distractions of modern life, how many people can pull away from the temptation to spend quality time with the Father?

Matthew 6:6
“But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your (Father) who is in the (secret place); and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.”

When we unpack Mathew 6:6 this is talking about going into your room not with any distractions like a phone. Praying early can be quieter, more relaxing when the hustle and bustle of life are yet to get going like in Mark 1:35. God search’s one end of the earth to the other probing for hearts who are loyal to Him day and night.

Jesus prayed often this is quality time in fellowship with His Father. He always prayed for direction before making big decisions or big moments in his wonderful life. Jesus went up a mountain very often to pray. A mountain top is a very selfless experience, but somehow the modern generation thinks otherwise and has come to believe that prayer is about the blessings we can receive. It is about praying, yet not my will but You’re will be done:

Luke 6:12
The Twelve Apostles
“One of those days Jesus went out to a (mountainside) to pray, and spent the night praying to God.”

Before Jesus went to the cross he also prayed to God. Christ prayed many times for others like the sick, blessing children and for deliverance. As believers, we are also commissioned to do the same. He prayed for His disciples to be able to stand and endure trials and tribulations. Jesus is praying for all of us now to stand strong in Him and beat the Coronavirus. The Son of God not only prayed alone He did it with others:

Matthew 18:20
“For where (two or three) gather in my name, there am I with them.”

The early church kept doing this after His death and resurrection as seen in Acts:

Acts 1:14
“They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.”

Jesus prayed at His baptism, before He began His ministry, and before His miracles. After ministry, it’s obvious to go away to a quiet area to hear what God has to say and not others. Talk from others can make us discouraged or prideful depending on how the message gets across. Going to Jesus after we minister reminds us that all power comes from above. Christ prayed verses from the Bible and of cause gave us the model prayer the Lord’s Prayer as a template to start with and the Psalms. The basic forms of prayer are praise, petition (supplication), intercession, and thanksgiving. Praying with passion is crucial, glorifying your Heavenly Father and compassion for others matters.

How many times have you really connected with God through prayer or was it all about yourself?

Jesus prayed with faith and persistence. Many prayers today have no power because of lack of faith, un-repented sins, and ongoing transgressions thinking they are saved by grace and don’t have to do anything. Individuals just give up and put it as an unanswered prayer instead of seeking, knocking and being persistent. Jesus prayed knowing not all of His prayers would be answered the way that He hoped, like before the cross:

Matthew 26:39-42
“Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.”

Christ surrendered the outcome to God putting all faith and trust in Him that He knows what He’s doing. So to recap how should we pray: